Take BART to museums and attractions around the Bay Area

Find science-themed exhibits at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of the Exploratorium.

Looking for an afternoon of learning, entertainment and inspiration? The Bay Area's many wonderful museums and attractions reflect the rich history and diverse cultures of our cities. From world-renowned exhibits like those at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to smaller attractions like the San Francisco Cable Car Museum and the San Leandro Historical Railway Society, the Bay Area is bursting with cultural offerings for all ages. We’ve rounded up a handful of our favorites. So, grab your Clipper card and head out to some of the best museums and attractions near BART. 

Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

Mind-blowing scientific exhibits fill the space at the Exploratorium. Photo courtesy of the Exploratorium. 

The Exploratorium | Embarcadero

Spark your curiosity at the Exploratorium. Through interactive activities, learn more about science, art and human perception through tinkering, touching and testing. Check out cool exhibits, like the anti-gravity mirror, the café wall illusion and the colored shadows, to name a few. Take BART to Embarcadero to learn and play 0.6 miles away on Pier 15 at Embarcadero and Green St. 

Photo courtesy of SF MOMA.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art | Montgomery St

One of the largest modern art museums in the U.S., SFMOMA is home to world-renowned permanent pieces and impressive rotating exhibits. With seven gallery floors, there’s a lot to see! Don’t miss mural commissions by Bay Area artists (on floors two, three and five), the thirty-foot tall living wall with 19,000 plants (floor three), and the Pritzker Center for Photography (also on floor three). Take BART to Montgomery St and prepare to be impressed 0.3 miles at 151 3rd St. 

Artwork by Rachel Jones on display at the Museum of African Diaspora (MoAD). Photo courtesy of MoAD.

Museum of the African Diaspora | Montgomery St

This contemporary art museum celebrates Black culture and showcases pieces representing the cultural heritage of Africans and African descendants around the globe. It's one of the few museums in the world focusing on the African Diaspora. Check out the African Book Club, African Diaspora Film Club, artist talks and more. Take BART to Montgomery St to immerse yourself in culture and art 0.2 miles at 685 Mission St.

Visit the historic cable car museum in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Visit California. 

San Francisco Cable Car Museum | Powell St

Historic San Francisco cable cars have been carrying passengers around the beautiful city since 1873. The museum honoring this mode of transport is the perfect place to learn more about these iconic vehicles. Visitors can see life-size cable cars up close, as well as photographs and displays. Plus, there's a gift shop to pick up San Francisco cable car memorabilia. Take BART to Powell St and walk 0.9 miles to 1201 Mason St. 

View historical artifacts and attend events at the Asian Art Museum. Photo courtesy of the Asian Art Museum.

Asian Art Museum | Civic Center/UN Plaza

This world-class Asian Art Museum is home to over 18,000 pieces representing various Asian cultures. It's one of the finest collections of Asian art in the world. The galleries on the second and third floors showcase over 2,000 artworks at a time. The pieces are rotated regularly, meaning you’ll witness new wonders each time you visit. The Cha May Ching Museum Boutique is also on-site, offering one-of-a-kind gifts from Asia. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza and stroll 0.1 miles to 200 Larkin St. 

Learn about history and film at BAMPFA. Photo courtesy of BAMPFA. 

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive | Downtown Berkeley

The contemporary collections at this U.C. Berkeley art and film museum are a premier Bay Area attraction near BART. With over 25,000 works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries, expect abstract expressionist paintings, photography, African American quilts, American folk art, Italian baroque pieces and much more. BAMPFA’s collection also offers over 18,000 films representing Japanese and Soviet cinema, West Coast avant-garde film and seminal video art with film showings regularly on the calendar. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley for an equal mix of art and film 0.1 miles at 1221 Broadway. 

 Kids and adults can enjoy this interactive art museum. Photo courtesy of Museum of Children's Art. 

Museum of Children’s Art | 12^th St/Oakland City Center

Children can attend open studios, attend art camp or have a themed art party at the Museum of Children’s Art. But MOCHA isn’t just for kids. Adults can join an art workshop to learn anything from printmaking to abstract art and Suminagashi "floating ink," which is the ancient art of Japanese paper marbling. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center to explore your artistic side 265 feet away at 1000 Oak St. 

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. 

African American Museum and Library | 12^th St/Oakland City Center

With over 12,000 volumes by or about African Americans, newspapers, videos and other sources, this uncirculated reference library is a wonderful place to learn more about African American history and culture. Drop in for a self-guided tour and explore everything from religion and the military to Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party and more. The African American Museum and Library is also home to a collection of award-winning children’s books. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center and walk 0.3 miles to 659 14th St.

Spend time viewing California-inspired exhibits or enjoy the sunshine and view of Lake Merritt from the garden. Photo courtesy of OMCA.

Oakland Museum of California | Lake Merritt

This 7-acre museum, garden and gathering place has over 1.9 million objects in its collections of art, history and natural science. It's the leading cultural institution in the Bay Area for the state's cultural and environmental heritage. With a number of ongoing and annual events, like Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid, gallery chats and the White Elephant Sale, there are so many reasons to check out this fun and fascinating museum near BART. Take BART to Lake Merritt and walk 0.1 miles to 1000 Oak St. 

San Leandro Historical Railway Society | San Leandro

The San Leandro Historical Railway Society is a fantastic place for train lovers to see railroad artifacts. Expect dining car plates and flatware from famous trains, photos, railroad lamps, lanterns, timetables and more. Guests can also check out books and videos about the western railroads. Take BART to San Leandro Station and learn about historical trains 0.4 miles away at 1302 Orchard Ave. 

What is Your Favorite BARTable Museum or Attraction?

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